Text: Psalms 119:104 (Analytical Bible Expositor)

Transcription

1 Series: Pathway Through the Psalms THROUGH THY PRECEPTS I GET UNDERSTANDING PSALMS 119: Text: Psalms 119:104 (Analytical Bible Expositor) Psalm 119: Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Introduction: I comparison to us today with the completed, settled Word of God, David had a very small Bible, but what he had he thought it as very precious. Our Bible is quite a large library compared with the one that David had, yet he read and re-read it, and rejoiced greatly in the treasure he found in it. David was one that helped enlarge the Bible. God used him to pen many of the Psalms in our Bible. Notice as we consider how David cherished the Word of God. Notice - 1 -

2 Sermon Content: 1. DECLARATION (VS. 97) Psalm 119:97 97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. A. The Expression of His Love This is quite an expression of love. It is a very rare expression. Not many folk are in this category you can tell that by what the people want in the church program less preaching, teaching, study of the Word and more entertainment. Notice What He Loved Thy law It was not just the promises but also the laws. This is a mark of spirituality. Note 1 John 5:3 1 John 5:3 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. Carnality and the flesh disagree. Notice not only what he loved but also: - 2 -

3 Notice What He Said O How I Love Thy Law! He did not say he spoke, taught, heard or obeyed the law, but that he loved it. You can do all the former without love, but if you love the Word, you will do all the former. We note the Expression of His Love but also note: B. The Extent of His Love The extent of his love for the Word of God is expressed in a threefold way. It Was Passionate O How I Love Thy Law This is a very passionate, enthusiastic statement of love. Too often affection for the word is "oh hum" not "O how." It Was Proven Meditation What we love we think upon and about. Quote: Devotional laxity leads to doctrinal looseness. Lack of meditation on the Word reflects lack of love for the Word and that will lead to apostasy

4 Not only was his love for the Word of God seen in his Passion and Proven note also: It Was Persistent All the Day How great was his love for the Word when it was on his heart and mind "all the day." We have considered the psalmist Declaration note secondly his: 2. DELIGHTFULNESS (VS. 103) Psalm 119: How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! The psalmist expresses the good taste of the Word. This figure of speech shows the psalmist's great esteem for the Scriptures. Note: A. The Sweetness Sometimes when we read a magazine or book or newspaper, what we read is not very palatable to us, but the psalmist found the Scriptures very pleasant. Sin finds the Word to be sour to the taste

5 That's why many reject the Word. The psalmist didn t find the Word of God to be sour but rather sweet. We have considered the psalmist Declaration and Delightfulness note thirdly his: 3. DIVIDENDS (VSS ) Psalm 119: Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. A. The Enemies Are Suppressed (vs. 98) Psalm 119:98 98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. The Word of God is the key to victory over the enemy. Two main thoughts are prominent about the Word of God in this verse

6 Prudence by the Word Wiser than mine enemies The enemy of our soul is crafty, clever, and cognoscente. But the Word of God will give us the wisdom and prudence that outsmarts the enemy of our soul. Note also: Presence of the Word They are ever with me This phrase refers to the commandments, not to the enemy, although sometimes it seems like the enemy is always with us to provoke and make trouble. The thought in this sentence is that the extent of devotion is the key to overcoming the enemy. The Word does not give us victory over the enemy when we have but casual interest in the Word. "Ever with me" is not carrying your Bible wherever you go but having the Word ever in your heart. Not only do we see the benefit of the Enemies are Suppressed but also: - 6 -

7 B. The Educators Are Surpassed (vs. 99) Psalm 119:99 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. Note: The Deficiency of Human Knowledge More understanding Human knowledge is not enough. We need "more," and the Word will give us "more" and in the area in which we need it the most. An individual may go to school and learn everything that human wisdom can teach and still be short of true wisdom. But if you are taught the Scriptures, you will know the "more" and have true wisdom. Note also: - 7 -

8 The Devotion For Heavenly Knowledge Thy testimonies are my meditation. To know heavenly knowledge which is the "more" knowledge, you must give yourself to the Word of God. One who does not study his textbook will not learn much, and unless you are devoted to the Word, you will not excel educators. Not only do we see the benefit of the Enemies Suppressed, and the Educators are Surpassed, but also: C. The Elders Are Superseded (vs. 100) Psalm 119: I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. The word elder refers to experienced. Reading and applying the word of God to one s life gives even more understanding than those with great experience. We have considered the psalmist Declaration, Delightfulness and Dividends note lastly his: - 8 -

9 4. DEFENSE (VSS , 104) Psalm 119: I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. 102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. Psalm 119: Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. The Word of God not only makes us wiser and smarter, it also sanctifies our life and makes us clean and holy before God. Note A. Evil Is Forsaken (vs. 101) Psalm 119: I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. Someone has said, This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book." The last part of this statement is what this verse is about

10 The Word will indeed keep us from sin, but we must depart from sin, or we will be kept from the Word. Living in sin does not promote learning the Scriptures. Note not only Evil is Forsaken but also: B. Enablement Is Furnished (vs. 102) Psalm 119: I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. The walk of the psalmist is told here and also the reason for the walk. Notice: The Character of the Walk I have not departed from thy judgements The psalmist s waking faithfully according to the Word of God. There is no better walk that one that is in accordance and compliance to God s Word. Notice also:

11 The Cause for the Walk For thou hast taught me. How did God teach him? Through the Word. Therefore it is the Word that is enabling the psalmist to walk a holy life. The church needs to remember this truth. If the church wants to help people live better lives, it needs to proclaim the Word of God. The Word enables people to overcome evil habits, conquer temptation, and stop sinning. Without the Word, mankind is as weak to defeat sin as Samson was with his haircut. We need divine enablement to defeat sin faithfully, and that enablement comes through the Word. Remember Psalms 119:11 Psalm 119:11 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee

12 Note not only Evil is Forsaken and Enablement that Is Furnished but also: C. Enlightenment Is Found (vs. 104) Psalm 119: Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. The Word of God enlightens us to know right from wrong and therefore will give you some good convictions about right and wrong. We note three areas in which the Word of God affects our convictions about sin. Notice: It Gives Us Strong Convictions I hate every false way Many carnal critics will struggle with this because they refuse to take a strong stand against sin. Close: May we understand the benefit of reading, receiving, and reverencing the Word of God